Situated between the Kannenbäckerland and the Westerwald Lake District, Helferskirchen is a place to relax, surrounded by coniferous and deciduous forests. Church and architectural history, half-timbered houses and trails shape the local opportunities for exploration. Highlights include the Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary, several historic houses in the centre and connections to hiking and cycling routes. Beyond the character of the town itself, the wider Westerwald destination offers further cultural and nature-related experiences.
Church, Organ and Architectural History
The Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary combines a Romanesque west tower with a Late Gothic upper section and an octagonal spire. The nave was rebuilt in 1769 after the fire of 1768. Inside, the Baroque high altar and pulpit have been preserved. The organ also has its own history: the Schöler organ from Bad Ems dates to 1785 and is almost unchanged; a second manual was added later. The church offers a chance to explore different phases of construction and furnishings, from the tower and the rebuilding to the organ.
Half-Timbered Houses and Trails
Several half-timbered houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries stand in the historic centre. Traditionally, the infill panels—the spaces between the wooden beams—were filled with straw and clay; slate roofs are another characteristic feature of the houses. These materials give the half-timbered buildings their distinctive architectural character.
For outings on foot or by bike, Helferskirchen is connected to the WR11, WR12 and III hiking trails, as well as the Aubach Route. The routes have different focuses: hiking on the one hand and cycling on the other. As trail markings may change over time, check the current route before setting out.
More to Explore in the Westerwald
In the wider Westerwald destination, regional hiking trails can be distinguished by their route features. The WesterwaldSteig is 235 kilometres long and crosses the Westerwald in 16 stages. The Druidensteig covers 94 kilometres in seven daily stages, passing through seven river valleys and offering more than 30 geo-information points. The distances, number of stages and geo-information points provide different ways to plan your own route. Check the current route planner before setting off.
The Stöffel Park brings together geology and industrial history: this roughly 140-hectare former basalt quarry combines industrial heritage, geological history and nature. The TERTIÄRUM displays fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse”, documenting around 25 million years of Earth’s history. The Holzbach Gorge offers a different landscape, with a breakthrough valley about one kilometre long and basalt walls up to 30 metres high. The Westerwald Lake District, with its seven ponds, is another type of regional natural landscape.
Crafts and brewing culture are also part of the Westerwald’s heritage. The Westerwald Ceramics Museum presents the history of working with clay; the objects on display mostly originate from a Westerwald clay pit. In the museum’s well-equipped workshop, visitors can get creative themselves under expert guidance. Check the current workshop programme and booking terms before your trip. In Hachenburg, the Erlebnis-Brauerei offers brewery tours and brewing courses; individual dates can be arranged by phone. For the latest booking packages, it is best to contact the brewery directly.
Discover more destinations: Eitelborn, Wallmerod, Welschneudorf, Nauort, Heiligenroth, Hillscheid, Caan, Winnen.
Return to the overview of the wider destination: Westerwald.
